Which program to choose- RN or BSN

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I am in a pickle because I was accepted to both a local ADN program and a RN program at a university some distance away. The BSN program would start this fall and go for 3 years and will cost about $30,000. The ADN program won't start until January and only costs about $4000. The ADN program is only 2 years. So in essence, if I took the BSN program, I would only need one more semester after the ADN program was over to get my BSN. I know a lot of people would love to be in my position and there are downfalls to each choice. I would like to hear other's reasoning on which program would be the best choice? I need to make a decision by Friday.. the pay or get dropped date for the CSU program.

I would like to get a BSN, but am not aware of any RN to BSN programs I can take online. Any suggestions about good and resonable online programs?

But Lizzy, thats the tricky part. What if you can't find a job, due to your type of degree?

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Throwing in my 2 cents....previous posters have brought up valid points about both. I just graduated from a BSN program, and I would definitely recommend a BSN program. HOWEVER, cost is definitely an issue. $4K vs. $30K is a HUGE difference. Only you can decide if you can afford the difference. You also said there is a large commute with the BSN program. Are you able to sacrifice the time in your personal life? It will also take away time from studying.

Also, find out what type of degrees are wanted in your area in the places you want to work. Most new grads want to work in hospitals after graduation. Most of the hospitals around here (NY Metro area) are either ONLY hiring BSNs or will hire ADs but require you to get your BSN within 5 yrs or so. And if given two new grads with similar grades and accomplishments but one is an AD and one is a BSN, recruiters will pick the BSN....this I've been told from numerous nurse recruiters.

An advantage of getting your AD: you can definitely take advantage of tuition reimbursement and enroll in a bridge program (RN to BSN). As great as that sounds, will you honestly be committed to doing that once you're working three 12 hr shifts or five 8 hr shifts? Again, I don't know what personal commitments you have, but some are able to do it and others aren't.

You've raised some great questions that I don't think too many students think about prior to choosing their program, so kudos to you!:yeah: If you decide to start with an AD, I hope you decide to pursue your BSN later. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.
But Lizzy, thats the tricky part. What if you can't find a job, due to your type of degree?

At least where I live, there really doesn't seem to be a difference between ADN's and BSN's getting jobs. One of my coworkers got her first job working in a NICU with her ADN right out of school. She told me there was a 10 cent difference in pay starting out. I'm assuming it might be more competitive in a different area though?

But even if you spent 2-3 years getting your ADN and another year getting your BSN, and couldn't get a job in between, you'd still save thousands by not going to the expensive school to get the BSN right away. And you wouldn't spend extra time in school. So even if you couldn't get the job right away and earn extra money, you'd still be saving money.

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